Last rites of Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh today; flags at half mast

Preparations are underway for the last rites ceremony of Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh at his residence 7A Kautilya Marg in New Delhi.

His mortal remains are being taken to Brar Square for the last rites ceremony.

Late on Sunday night, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the residence of Marshal of the IAF Arjan Singh and met his family members.

The PM wrote a message in the condolence book at the Indian hero's residence.

'Jaandaar shaandaar samarpit jeevan, veerta aur shaurya ki jeeti jaagti misaal. Oonchayi aur gehrayi ka adhbhut sanyojan, (Brave and glorious life dedicated, a name legendary that will be remembered among the brave),' the PM wrote.

Prime Minister Modi further wrote that Marshal of IAF Arjan Singh devoted his post, prestige and dignity at the feet of Mother India.

'Sainik ke shaurya aur shishtachar ki sada anubhuti dene wale veer ko pranaam, (Salute to the hero who always was an icon of courage),' the PM's message read.

Earlier on Sunday, President Ram Nath Kovind led the nation in paying final tributes to Singh, the only Air Force officer to be promoted to five-star rank.

The three service chiefs --Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa, Naval chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat -- as well as Minister of State Housing and Urban Affairs, Hardeep Puri were also present.

Among other dignitaries who were seen streaming in were Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, MoS for External Affairs and former Army chief V K Singh, former defence minister A K Antony and Congress MP Karan Singh.

Former Indian Air Force (IAF) chiefs S P Tyagi, N C Suri and Anil Y Tipnis as well as several decorated officers who served under Arjan Singh during the 1965 war were also present.

Army Chief General Bipin Rawat described the five-star ranking officer as 'a legend, an icon, a pilot-chief who led from the front and a philanthropist to the core'.

A state funeral will be accorded to the Marshal of the IAF and the national flag will fly at half mast at all government buildings in New Delhi in his honour, the Union Home ministry has said.

The last rites of Singh, who passed away at the Army's Research and Referral Hospital on Saturday, would be performed at Brar Square here at 10 am today. -- ANI, PTI

IMAGE: President Ram Nath Kovind, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces, pays his last respect to Singh. Photograph: Press Information Bureau